Pope Leo XIV's Political Footprints: A Look into His Voting History

In a remarkable intertwining of faith and civic duty, Pope Leo XIV has actively participated in the political landscape, casting votes across party lines over the years.

Pope Leo XIV, hailing from Chicago, has shown a notable commitment to engaging with the democratic process, as evidenced by his voting history in Illinois. State records indicate that Leo has taken part in numerous elections, exercising his right to vote in at least ten general elections since 2000. Most recently, he submitted an absentee ballot for the presidential election in November 2024.

Delving into his primary voting pattern, Pope Leo, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, exhibited a blend of affiliation, having voted in both Democratic and Republican primaries. Primary voting in Illinois allows voters to select ballots from any party, which has allowed Pope Leo to alternately align with different political ideologies throughout his voting tenure. Records reveal his participation in three Republican primaries between 2012 and 2016, alongside Democratic ballots cast in 2008 and 2010.

Born and raised in Dolton, Illinois, the new pontiff’s deep connexions to his local parish and environment shaped his early life and values. Despite a career largely spent in Peru and Rome, he has maintained ties to his Illinois origins, including further educational pursuits and assignments with the Midwest Augustinians that brought him back to his home state.

This blend of papal duties and civic engagement paints a unique portrait of a pope who remains deeply rooted in the culture and political fabric of his upbringing, providing a familiar face in American political discourse.